Grant helps expand reach of Oxnard dropout prevention program

A $20,000 grant will give an after-school tutoring and mentoring program the ability to expand its reach to more students. Oxnard's downtown League of United Latin American Citizens Council 3128 (LULAC) was one of 10 national grant recipients from Ford Motor Co.'s Driving Dreams Through Education program. The grant will supplement funding for the council's Keys to Empower Youth in the System Leadership Academy, a high school dropout prevention program that helps students achieve on-time high school graduation.

Angelica Martinez (front), along with Samantha Paz, Icyess Rose, Nayeli Trujillo and Melissa Tellez (in back), listen to different group activity ideas being planned for the leadership academy during a meeting at Café on A in Oxnard.

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Armando Vazquez, co-executive director of the leadership academy, and program participants enjoy a light-hearted moment during a meeting.

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Samantha Paz (standing at left) shares her idea with participants and mentors of the Keys to Empower Youth in the System Leadership Academy during a meeting and training session at Café on A in Oxnard.

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Participants and mentors in the leadership academy listen to mentor Carlos Licea (seated lower left) talk about an issue he was looking into.

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Icyess Rose, a participant in the leadership academy, talks about an upcoming program idea during a meeting and training session for mentors in the program.

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Armando Vazquez (front), co-executive director of the Keys to Empower Youth in the System Leadership Academy, talks with a program participant about an upcoming idea. Listening (in back from left) are Icyess Rose, Nayeli Trujillo, Melissa Tellez and Carlos Gonzalez.